Mail-bundling device.



PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903..

G. W. HAGAN. MAI-L BUNDLING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 11, 1902.

N0 MODEL- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE HAGAN, OF GUIDEROCK, NEBRASKA.

MAlL-BUNDLING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 723,381, dated March 24, 1903.

Application filedAugust 11, 1902. Serial N0. 119,315. (lilo model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. HAGAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Guiderock, in the county of Vvebsterv and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and useful Mail-Bundling Device, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mail-bnndling'de vices. v

The object of the invention 'is in a ready, simple, thoroughly feasible, and practical manner to facilitate the distribution of mail in rural deliveries and to reduce the liability of making mistakes to a minimum.

With these and other objects in view,as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of a mail-bundling device, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts, there is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage Without departing from the spirit thereof.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view in perspective of the device, showing more particularly the manner in which the bundling of the mail is efiected. Fig. 5] is a similarview of the device.

The device of this invention comprises an approximately U-shaped holder 1 and a base '2, rigidly associated with the holder in any manner, as by being riveted or braced thereto,

40 or,if preferred, it may be integral therewith.

The holder is composed of two retaining-arms 3, disposed parallel with each other, and a base-piece 4, integral with thearms and preferably disposed at right angles thereto. The base'2 projects a sufficient distance beyond the holder at each side to insure that in operation it will be retained in vertical position, and in this instance it is shown as secured to the upper side of the base-piece 4,

V v the terminals of the base 2 being slightly bent downward in order to cause them to bear squarely upon the table or other support upon which the holder rests.

The structure as a whole may be constructed of bar metal, preferably rectangular in cross-section, and may be treated in any manner to render it rust-proof.

In the use of the device a strap 5 is loosely 'placed diagonally across the base, and upon this the mail-matter (designated by 6 in Fig. 1) is piled.

The manner in which the mail is bundled by this device is as follows: After the mail has been distributed in the pigeonholes or the like in the order in which it is to be delivered along the route the bundling device is placed upon a table and the assembling-strap placed therein in the manner described. Each familys smaller mail-that is to say, letters and the likeis folded inside of a newspaper, if one is to be delivered to the family,- with the name on the paper downward, or if there is no paper the letters and the like will be kept in a group by themselves and disposed between the retaining-arms face down, and this procedure is continued until the holder is filled, when the strap is tightly buckled around the bundle and uponinverting the holder it will be discharged.

In the employment of this extremely simple but thoroughlyefficient device the bundling of the mail will be facilitated to such an extent that at least one-half of the time usually employed for that purpose will be saved. Moreover, danger of a pile of mailmatter being thrown down after it has beenarranged in order, as from vibrations of the car, will be entirely obviated.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A device of the character specified, comprising an approximately U-shaped holder, the vertical members of which constitute mail-retaining arms, and a base-piece rigidly secured to the lower portion of the holder and projecting laterally beyond the sides thereof.

2. A device of the character specified, cornmy own 1 have hereto affixed my signature in prising a holder constructed of a piece of the presence of two witnesses.

metal bent to present a rectan ular structure and a base-piece extending at right angles to GEORGE HAGAA 5 the vertical members of the holder and riv- Witnesses:

eted to the lower member thereof. EDWARD M. PARKER,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as VALTER F. WATT. 

